Ram head and adjustable connector combination

ABSTRACT

A ram head mounted on a machine bed for reciprocal movement along a line of force axis in a forward direction for mechanical action, e.g., forming, punching, stamping, etc., and in a return direction and activated by a cam operated toggle lever. An adjustable wedge is provided to transmit forces from the toggle lever to the head along the line of force axis for moving the head in the forward and return directions.

United States Patent 1151 3,685,341 Karsnak {4 1 Aug. 22, 1972 [54] RAMHEAD AND ADJUSTABLE 1,727,698 9/1929 Clouse ..72/45l CONNECTORCOMBINATION 1,920,302 8/1933 Grotnes ..72/45l 3 122 033 2/1964Riemenschneider ..72/452 72 I t Geo D. K 1 rge mnak Muncle Ind 3,557,5991/1971 Eickenhorst ..72/450 [73] Assignee: U.S. Engineering Company,Inc.,

Muncle, Primary ExaminerCharles W. Lanham 22 Filed: June 1 1970Assistant Examiner-Gene P. Crosby [21] A l N 46 750 Attorney-Robert E.lsner and Peter J. Franco [57] ABSTRACT (g! ..72/4ggijl A ram headmounted on a machine bed for reciprocal movement l g a li f force i a fd [58] Field of Searc2h..... .72/45O, 451, 452, 446, 427, direction formechanical action, cg forming, 7 I44 10/15 H H l R punching, stamping,etc., and in a return direction and activated by a cam operated togglelever. An adjusta- [56] References and ble wedge is provided to transmitforces from the tog- UNITED STATES PATENTS gle lever to the head alongthe line of force axis for 335 280 M1886 G1 10/15 moving the head in theforward and return directions.

over 1,581,632 4/ 1926 De Fries ..72/452 14 Claims, 6 Drawing FiguresPATENTEDwszzmn 3.685.841

SHEET 3 BF 3 IN OR ATTORNEY GEORGE KARSNAK RAM HEAD AND ADJUSTABLECONNECTOR COMBINATION This invention relates to a head assembly for ametal working machine, and more particularly to a combination of a ramhead and adjustable connector mountable for reciprocal movement on ametal working machine along a line of force axis for maximum tonnagemechanical action.

Metal working machines embodying adjustable ram head assemblies mountedfor movement to achieve mechanical action are known, but these arelimited by the particular design to comparatively low tonnage use inorder to avoid damage to the head, adjustment screws and connectingparts. Such adjustment screws must be readily accessible to the operatorfor prompt and effective adjustments of the head and connecting parts asneeded and this factor has restricted the type of adjustable headconstruction arrangements which have been so far provided.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome previous drawbacksand constructional limitations and to provide an adjustable headassembly adapted to be mounted on a metal working machine for maximumtonnage forward movement along a line of force axis for optimummechanical action and positive return movement along such axis, withoutundue stress on the working parts and without damage to the adjustmentelements thereof by reason of the high tonnage forces employed for themetal working.

It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable headassembly of the foregoing type in which the various adjustment elementsare readily accessible to the operator yet in which such adjustmentelements are constructed and arranged in the overall assembly so as toavoid undue stresses thereon as well as damage by reason of the use ofhigh tonnage working forces.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an assemblyof the foregoing type which is simple and comparatively inexpensive tomanufacture and essentially durable in use despite the high tonnageforces exerted on the various assembly parts.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from thewithin specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view partially in section, takenalong the line 11 of FIG. 2, of an adjustable ram head assembly,according to one embodiment of the invention, reciprocally mounted on amachine tool bed and operated by means of a force transmission linkageincluding a cam operated toggle lever assembly;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 1 showing thedisposition of the various parts;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG.1, taken along the line of 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic transverse sectional view, taken along the line4-4 of FIG 2, illustrating constructional details regarding the wedgeconstruction;

FIG. 5 is a schematic end view, partially in section, taken along theline 5-5 of FIG. 1, indicating the disposition of the retaining collarand force transmission lever associated with the assembly; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a portion of a machine tool bed on whichthe adjustable ram head assembly according to the invention isreciprocally mounted, illustrating the arrangement of parts and theirspatial relationships.

It has been found in accordance with the present invention that anadjustable ram head assembly in the form of a ram head and adjustableconnector combination may now be provided which is capable of use underhigh tonnage forces without damage, especially of the head assemblyadjustment elements.

Generally, the combination comprises a ram head adapted to be movedalong a line of force axis for mechanical action, a force transmissionconnector having an oblique contact face positioned at a positioningseat on the head operatively along such axis with the contact facefacing the head and retained by an axially adjustable retainer on thehead at a selective axial position and against axial displacement awayfrom the head, and transversely adjustable wedge having a complementaloblique abutment face interposed at such axis operatively between thehead and connector for compressive engagement with the oblique contactface at the selective axial position of the connector to transmit safelytherethrough high tonnage forces acting on the connector to the headalong'the line of force axis.

A force transmission lever articulatedly connected to the connectorremote from the contact face thereof is used to transmit the hightonnage forces for moving the head along the line of force axis in aforward working direction and also to transmit the opposing forces forinsuring positive return of the head in a rearward recovery direction inaccordance with the reciprocal orientation of the arrangement, e.g., ona machine tool bed. Such force transmission lever is preferablyoperatively connected to a cam operated toggle lever assembly or thelike which supplies the forces necessary to carry out the sequentialreciprocal motion of the various head assembly parts.

Referring to the drawing, FIGS. 1 to 3 show the head assembly and aportion of the machine tool bed on which it is reciprocally mounted.Specifically, ram head 1 is slidably disposed in a retaining groove onbase 2 (see FIG. 4) in the conventional manner for reciprocal movementalong a line of force axis in a forward direction to the left as viewedin the drawing for mechanical action and in a rearward direction to theright as viewed in the drawing for recovery or return to the originalposition, as indicated by the double-headed arrow A. Base 2 is carriedby machine tool bed or platform 3 and fixed against displacement in theforward and rearward directions in the well known manner by the presenceof lateral ribs 4, only one of which is shown for simplicity. Each rib 4fits tightly in the corresponding upper lateral recess 5 in base 2 andin the counterpart lower lateral recess 6 in bed 3, such recess 6 beingin communication with a lateral locking well 6a for receiving lockingmeans 7 for locking rib 4 and base 2 to bed 3.

By means of recess 5, base 2 may be adjusted laterally for selectivealignment or positioning of the reciprocal path or line of force axis ofram head 1, whereupon locking means 7 may be utilized to fix base 2 andin turn ram head 1 against further lateral displacement, the presence ofsuch ribs 4 inherently fixing base 2 against displacement in the forwardand rearward directions as aforesaid. It will be realized that lockingmeans 7 also-fix base 2 against displacement out of its normal, e. g.,horizontal, plane and that in turn the retaining groove in the uppersurface of base 2 (see FIG. 4) maintains ram head 1 in its normal, e.g.,horizontal plane as well.

Even though the actual working face 8 on the forward or front end of ramhead 1 is axially offset in upward direction from the line of force axisdepicted by arrow A, it is disposed in the same, e.g., vertical, planeas such axis and represents a stable translocation of the line of forcein question. Therefore, no undue stresses will act on the retaininggroove sliding connection between base 2 and ram head 1 to causedisplacement of either of these parts out of their normal, e.g.,horizontal, plane.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that other means than thosediscussed above may be employed to achieve the same fixed andreciprocally slidable disposition of parts and their lateral or planaradjustment.

In regard to one particular feature of the invention, a positioningseat, for example an axial bore 9 in the rearward end of ram head 1, isprovided, in which a force transmission connector, for example a bar 10,having an oblique contact face 11, is operatively received and/orpositioned along the line of force axis of the ram head, such that theoblique contact face 11 faces the head 1, i.e., faces the forward orfront end thereof. An axially adjustable retainer, shown in the form ofa retaining collar 28 having a central opening 29, screwed onto therearward end of head 1 at the outer portion of axial bore 9 via axialthreaded connection 30, is provided for abutment with the rearward face31 of bar 10 to retain bar 10 at a selective axial position in bore 9and against axial displacement away, i.e., rearwardly, from the head 1.

Coacting therewith is the transversely, e.g., vertically, adjustablewedge 12 having a complemental oblique abutment face 13 as well as acorresponding reverse oblique abutment face 24. Wedge 12 is interposedat the line of force axis operatively between head 1 and the connectoror bar 10 for compressive engagement of oblique abutment face 13 withoblique contact face 11 which represents a rearward limiting wall forwedge 12 at the selective axial position of bar 10.

Counter wedge or support block 25 having a corresponding complementalreverse oblique support face 26 is situated in abutment with theinterior transverse wall 27 of axial bore 9 so that reverse obliquesupport face 26 faces the reverse oblique abutment face 24 of wedge 12to provide a forward limiting wall for similar compressive engagementwith wedge 12.

In this way, forces acting on bar 10 in the forward direction via forcetransmission lever 32 will be transmitted through wedge 12 to head 1 viasupport block 25 along the line of force axis to cause head 1 to move inthe forward direction and in turn working face 8to carry out in theusual way any desired mechanical action such as metal forming, punching,stamping, etc.

The value of the oblique angle of the plane of interface at the meetingof oblique contact face 11 and oblique abutment face 13 with respect tothe line of force axis and/or to the horizontal may be selected byappropriate conjoint selection of the complementary oblique angles offaces 11 and 13 themselves. This angle will determine the degree ofaxial adjustment of bar 10 with respect to bore 9 and/or the degree oftransverse adjustment of wedge 12 with respect to bore 9 which will benecessary to achieve the desired positioning and stroke amplitude of ramhead 1 for reciprocal movement thereof. Such angle may be for example 5to 10 degrees with respect to the vertical. Thus, by appropriaterotation of collar 28, bar 10 can be axially displaced in dependenceupon the transverse position of wedge 12 whereby to permit preciseadjustment of the forward position of working face 8 at maximum forwardstroke of ram head 1 when head 1 is forwardly urged as described below.

To permit wedge 12 to be displaced transversely with respect-to bore 9,and in turn with respect to the line of force axis in question, thewedge lower end or apex 14 terminates a significant distance from theopposing inner wall portion of bore 9 thereat when the wedge is orientedsuch that its upper end or base 15 is adjacent the counterpart opposinginner wall portion of bore 9 (see FIG. 4). A wedge slot 16,extending'more or less coaxially with the line of force axis, is definedin the upper end or base 15 of the wedge which communicates with a moreor less similarly extending wider wedge groove 17 radially inwardlythereof, so as to receive the narrower diameter lower end 18 oftransversely adjustable bolt 19 slidably within slot 16 and the widerdiameter flange stop 20 at the bottom of bolt 19 correspondinglyslidably within wider groove 17.

Bolt 19 is operatively positioned in transverse head bore 21 andtransversely adjustable with respect to head 1 by reason of thetransverse bore threaded connection 22. Lock nut 23 serves to fixreleasably bore 19 from rotational and transverse displacement once thebolt has been selectively adjusted in transverse position to adjust inturn the selective transverse position of wedge 12 in bore 9 independence upon the selective axial position of bar 10 and the desiredflush contact interfacial disposition of oblique faces 1 l and 13.

It will be clear from the foregoing that bolt 19 in effect carries wedge12 via the interconnection provided between wider flange stop 20 andwedge groove 17 as radially outwardly limited by narrower wedge slot 16(see FIG. 4). Thus, by suitable rotational displacement of bolt 19,wedge 12 can be displaced transversely toward and away from the innerwall portion of bore 9 opposite wedge apex 14 in dependence upon theaxial position of bar 10 and specifically oblique contact face 1 1 Byreason of the arrangement of flange stop 20 and wedge groove 17, forcesacting along the line of force axis will not be exerted radially againstbolt 19, and thus no undue stress or damage to bolt 19 can occur.Nevertheless, bolt 19 will resist effectively forces exerted axiallythereon via wedge 12 due to the presence of the extended threadedconnection 22 thereat.

Where bar 10 has been axially prepositioned, wedge 12 may be displacedby inward movement of bolt 19 until oblique abutment face 13 of wedge 12is in flush compressive contact with oblique contact face 11 of bar 10.During this time the relative alignment of bolt 19 and wedge 12 will beadjusted by appropriate sliding movement of the wedge with respect toflange stop 20 and bolt lower end 18 along wedge groove 17 and wedgeslot 16 in view of the guidance afforded by support face 26 of supportblock 25, so that abutment face 24 of wedge 12 will be maintained inflush compressive contact as well with said support face 26.

By looking nut 23 when wedge 12 is compressively positioned with respectto bar and support block 25, flange stop will prevent undesired outwardtransverse displacement of the wedge, i.e., in a direction away from theinner wall portion of bore 9 opposite wedge apex 14, even when ram head1 is subjected to high tonnage operating forces. While flange stop 20will also prevent to some extent further inward transverse displacementof the wedge, i.e., in a direction towards the inner wall portion ofbore 9 opposite wedge apex 14, this role is performed more completelyand more positively by the flush positioning of both oblique contactface 11 of prepositioned bar 10 and reverse oblique support face 26 ofsupport block against oblique abutment face 13 and reverse obliqueabutment face 24, respectively, of the wedge.

Of course, as the artisan will appreciate, the reverse concept isequally applicable in which the wedge 12 is prepositioned transverselyby bolt 19 along support block 25 and then bar 10 adjusted axially viacollar 28 to reach the flush positioned of oblique faces 11 and 13 whilemaintaining the corresponding flush positioning of reverse oblique faces26 and 24.

While a separate support block 25 is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1,it will be realized that such block 25 can be integral with head 1,e.g., with both parts being one piece, whereupon the interior transversewall 27 is omitted and instead reverse oblique supportface 26 serves asboth the interior transverse wall of .axial bore 9 and the reverseoblique support face.

Furthermore, while support block 25 and wedge 12 are shown withcomplemental reverse oblique faces 26 and 24, respectively, these partscan be formed such that faces 26 and 24 extend transversely at an angleof 90 with respect to the line of force axis and/or the horizontal,i.e., are normal to the line of force axis, since the significantadjustment of wedge 12 and bar 10 is governed by the appropriate obliqueangle of faces 11 and 13 in connection with the positional relationshipof the axially displaceable bar and the transversely displaceable wedge.

Nevertheless, with such modification, the oblique angle of faces 11 and13, i.e., of the corresponding plane of interface thereat, is preferablymore pronounced than that shown in the drawing, e.g., l220, so that fora given linear distance of transverse movement of wedge 12 acorrespondingly greater linear distance of axial adjustment of bar 10will be required than in the case of the FIG. 1 embodiment for flushabutment of faces 11 and 13, or stated another way, greater axialadjustment increments of bar 10 and smaller transverse adjustmentincrements of wedge 12 will be used than for the FIG. 1 embodiment,considering the relatively confined area and range of displacement ofthese parts in the spatial disposition shown.

Since in accordance with this modification, wedge 12 will not bedisplaced with respect to bolt 19 along the line of force axis, as theartisan will appreciate, slot 16 and groove 17 as well as flange stop 20can be modified to provide a simple connection therebetween permittingpositive transverse displacement of wedge 12 in the manner described andreleasable fixing against further transverse displacement of wedge 12 inbore 9 when operating the assembly under high tonnage forces.

Bar 10 is provided with a rearward axial recess, for example in the formof a rectangular bar slot 33, to receive operatively the leading end offorce transmission lever 32, preferably with the inner transverse wallof slot 33 and the leading end of lever 32 being in abutting relation toabsorb more efficiently forces exerted by lever 32 on bar 10. Pivotbuttons 34,35 are inserted laterally into the coaxially aligned laterallever bores 50,51 on the respective sides of lever 32 such that theheads of the pivot buttons are received more or less flushly within thecorresponding coaxially aligned, e. g., round shaped, cross holes orhollow recesses 48,49 laterally extending into the sides of bar 10thercat.

Hollow recesses 48,49 preferably open into bar slot 33 for a closer fitof the various parts, and if desired lateral bores 50,51 in lever 32 canopenly register with each other by providing them in the form of acommon continuous bore.

Pivot buttons 34,35 are retained in position, by reason of the closeadjacency of the confining interior wall portions of axial bore 9 to theoutermost surfaces of the heads of these buttons, and thus articulatedlylock together lever 32 and bar 10 between wedge 12 and collar 28.

Preferably, the inner transverse wall of bar slot 33 is concavely curvedabout the common lateral axis of but- I tons 34,35 and bores 50,51 andthe leading edge of lever 32 is convexly curved about such axis, withthe same radius of curvature for both such parts, to permit bar 10 andlever 32 to execute slight relative articulation therebetween about suchlateral axis within the limits of the confining bar slot 33 (see FIG.5). In this way, high tonnage forces acting on lever 32 may betransmitted to bar 10 for the desired purposes without undue stresses onthe interconnected parts as would occur with a rigid connection betweenbar 10 and lever 32 or with a pivotal connection not so constructionallyconfined as to pivot range.

Such forces are supplied to lever 32 by toggle lever 41 supported on bed3 via pivot mounting 42 and connected articulatedly to the trailing endof the force transmission lever 32 via lateral end cap pivots-36,37. Endcap pivots 36,37 are affixed by pins 38,39 to the adjacent portion oftoggle lever 41 through the intermediately positioned appropriatelyconcavely curved bushing 40 which articulatedly abuts the complementallyconvexly curved trailing edge of lever 32. Conveniently, the commonlateral axis of buttons 34,35 and bores 50,51, the axis of pivotmounting 42 and the common axis of lateral pivots 36,37 are all parallelto one another.

By such an arrangement of parts, high tonnage forces can be readilytransmitted from toggle lever 41 through bushing 40 and lateral pivots36,37 to force transmission lever 32 and buttons 34,35, and in turn tobar 10, wedge 12 and head 1, with limited articulation of theinterlinked parts to relieve stresses otherwise exerted during theforward and rearward limited pivoting of toggle lever 41 about pivotmounting 42.

The operation of toggle lever 41 is carried out in the conventionalmanner by timed rotation of drive shaft 45 mounted at the rear of bed 3so that the appropriate cams 43 and 44 engage, respectively, the camfollower rollers 46 and 47 situated on the arms of the toggle lever in acorrespondingly timed, predetermined sequence. This causes toggle lever41 to be rocked alternately in forward and rearward direction forreciprocal displacement of head 1 via the limited articulationconnections of interposed bar and lever 32. Not only can high tonnageforces be transmitted effectively and without undue stresses by such alinkage of parts to head 1 for forward displacement thereof but alsopositive return of the head can be carried out without undue stresses aswell.

It can be appreciated from FIG. 4 that wedge 12 in the embodiment shownis more or less oval shaped in cross-section yet has opposed lateralpointed portions due to the foreshortening of the wedge within theinterior of axial bore 9.

While bore 9 and wedge 12 are shown correspondingly as circular and ovalin cross-section, other complemental cross-sectional shapes for theseparts may be used if desired so long as the lower end or apex 14 ofwedge 12 is spaced from the opposed interior wall portion of bore 9thereat when the upper end or base 15 of the wedge is in abutment withthe opposed interior wall portion of bore 9 adjacent the inner end oftransverse bore 21 and so long as wedge 12 can be transversely displacedin the desired manner.

Such space below apex 14 is necessary of course to permit transversedisplacement of wedge 12 in accord with the axial adjustment of bar 10to achieve proper 1 positioning of head 1 in terms of the reciprocalstroke amplitude of toggle lever 41.

FIG. 4 also shows clearly the outwardly flared underside of head 1suitably retained in the axially extending groove in the upper surfaceof base 2 for reciprocal sliding movement of head 1 with respect tostationary base 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates the spatial relationship of lever 32 and collar 28and the clearance therebetween at collar opening 29. Adjustment of theaxial position of collar 28 may be made readily by rotation thereofusing a simple too] since the arrangement of parts does not obstructcollar 28 or prevent free access thereto. Because of the particularconstructional arrangement, no high tonnage forces are exerted on collar28, and thus, like bolt 19, collar 28 is not subject to undue stresswhich might cause damage thereof. Even so, by reason of threadedconnection 30, positive rearward displacement forces can readily beaccommodated by collar 28.

The clearance between lever 32 and the upper and lower faces ofrectangular slot 33 in the rear end of bar 10 is also shown in FIG. 5.The clearance between lever 32 and the upper and lower faces of slot 33,of course, determines the limits of articulation between lever 32 andbar 10 and provides for the safe containment of the forces exertedthereat along the line of force axis.

FIG. 6 shows the location of head 1 in the overall arrangement of aconventional metal working machine and particularly the ready access ofthe operator to bolt 19 and nut 23 as well as to collar 28 (see alsoFIG. 2) for unobstructed adjustment as desired. Also shown in anoverhead brace 52 for the machine which connects the force transmissionside containing head 1 with the force receiving side containing theplaten 53. Platen 53 in the illustrated embodiment holds a female die 54in opposed relation to the male die 55 carried by working face 8 fordesired high tonnage force working of metal stock (not shown) in theconventional manner along the line of force axis, i.e., offset upwardlytherefrom but in the same vertical plane.

By way of the construction of the present invention, therefore,unobstructed access is provided to bolt 19 and collar 28 for easyadjustment of the head with respect to the force transmission leverlinkage. Consequently, precise adjustment of the amplitude of thereciprocal stroke of such head can be accomplished readily, yet the headassembly is able to withstand the high tonnage forces exerted thereonfor forward displacement thereof while also being able to undertakepositive return displacement without damage to the adjustment elements,and especially to bolt 19 and collar 28, during such forward and returndisplacement.

It will be appreciated that the instant specification and drawings areset forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention which is to be limited only by thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Ram head and adjustable connector combination which comprises a ramhead adapted to be moved along a line of force axis for mechanicalaction, a force transmission connector having an oblique contact face, apositioning seat on said head positioning said connector operativelyalong said axis with said contact face facing said head, an axiallyadjustable retainer on said head to retain said connector at a selectiveaxial position and against axial displacement away from said head, and atransversely adjustable wedge having a complemental oblique abutmentface interposed at said axis operatively between said head and saidconnector for compressive engagement with said oblique contact face atthe selective axial position of said connector to transmit therethroughforces acting on said connector to said head along said line of forceaxis.

2..Combination according to claim 1 wherein a force transmission leveris articulatedly connected to said connector remote from said contactface to transmit forces to said connector for moving said head alongsaid line of force axis, and said force lever is pivotally connectedwith direct drive means to positively reciprocate said head both in itsadvance and retractive displacements along said line of force action.

3. Combination according to claim 2 wherein said direct drive meanscomprises a cam operated toggle lever and said toggle lever isoperatively connected to said force lever to transmit forces to saidforce lever for transmission in turn to said connector and head to movesaid head in a positive forward mechanical action direction and toretract said head in a corresponding positive return direction.

4. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said head is mounted on amachine bed for substantially horizontal movement with respect to saidbed along said line of force axis while being fixed against lateralmovement with respect thereto, and a transversely adjustable stop isprovided on the top portion of said head which is operatively connectedto said wedge to locate selectively and hold said wedge in saidcompressive engagement with the oblique contact face of said connectorand prevent transverse displacement of said wedge.

5. Combination according to claim 1 wherein an opposing support blockhaving a reverse oblique support face is stationarily disposedoperatively between said head and said wedge at said axis to provide awedge shaped space between said support face and the contact face ofsaid connector, and said wedge is provided with a complemental reverseoblique abutment face adjacent said support face, with said abutmentfaces com plementally inwardly converging toward each other anddimensioned to occupy said wedge shaped space in dependence upon theselective axial position of said connector and the position oftransverse adjustment of said wedge.

6. Combination according to claim 5 wherein a transversely adjustablestop is provided on said head operatively connected to said wedge tohold said wedge in abutting contact with said support face and with saidcontact face and prevent transverse displacement of said wedge.

7. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said head has a forward ramportion and a rearward force receiving portion, said positioning seat isin the form of an axial bore in said rearward portion, said connector isdimensioned cross-sectionally to provide axially extending seatingsurface portions for axially slidable operative seating engagement withcorresponding adjacent axially extending interior wall portions of saidbore, said retainer is in the form of a collar having an opening definedtherethrough and said collar is dimensioned for axially adjustableattachment to the outer end portion of said bore in rearward retainingabutment with the adjacent portion of said connector, and said wedge isoperatively positioned in said bore between the inner end portionthereof and the contact face of said connector, wherein a transverselyadjustable stop is providedon said head which extends into said bore andwhich is operatively connected to said wedge to hold said wedge betweensaid end portion and contact face and prevent transverse displacement ofsaid wedge, and wherein a force transmission lever extends inwardlythrough the opening of said collar and is articulatedly connected tosaid connector at the end portion thereof remote from said contact faceto transmit forces to said connector for moving said head along saidline of force axis.

8. Combination according to claim 7 wherein said bore, said connector,said wedge and said collar are of complemental circular cross-sectionalconfiguration with respect to said axis, wherein said collar is attachedby a threaded connection to said bore, wherein said transverselyadjustable stop is a bolt inserted through a threaded connection withsaid head into said bore and attached at its inner end to the wider baseportion of said wedge, and wherein said force transmission lever isconnected to said connector by a pair of lateral pins coaxiallyjournalled in said connector and is operatively connected with directdrive means remote from said connector to move said head in a positiveforward mechanical action direction and to retract said head in acorresponding positive return direction.

9. Ram head apparatus which comprises a machine bed, a ram head having aforward ram portion and a rearward force receiving portion mounted onsaid bed for reciprocal movement with respect to said bed along a lineof force axis in a forward mechanical action direction and in a returndirection while being fixed against lateral movement with respect tosaid bed, an axial bore in said rearward portion forming a positioningseat along said axis, a force transmission connector having an obliquecontact face portion operatively within said bore along said axis in atleast partial axially slidable peripheral operative seating engagementwith the adjacent axially extending interior wall portions of said boreand with said contact face facing the forward ram portion, a retainingcollar having an opening defined therethrough mounted axially adjustablyin the outer end portion of said bore rearwardly of said connector toretain said connector at a selective axial position and against rearwardaxial displacement with respect to said head, an opposing support blockhaving a reverse oblique support face stationarily disposed operativelyat said axis within said bore against the inner end portion thereof withsaid support face facing said contact face to provide a wedge shapedspace between said support face and said contact face, a transverselyadjustable wedge interposed at said axis in said bore operativelybetweensaid connector and said support block and having a complementaloblique abutment face adjacent said contact face and a complementalreverse oblique abutment face adjacent said support face, said abutmentfaces complementally inwardly converging toward each other from the baseportion of said wedge to the apex portion thereof and said wedge beingdimensioned to occupy said wedge shaped space in dependence upon theselective axial position of said connector and the position oftransverse adjustment of said wedge to transmit therethrough forcesacting on said connector to said support block and in turn said headalong said line of force axis, a transversely adjustable stop mounted onsaid rearward portion extending into said bore and operatively connectedto the base portion of said wedge to hold said wedge in abutting contactwith said support face and contact face and prevent transversedisplacement of said wedge, a cam operated toggle lever mounted on saidbed, and a force transmission lever having one end operatively connectedto said toggle lever and the other end extending inwardly through theopening of said collar and articulatedly connected to said connector atthe end portion thereof remote from said contact face to transmit forcesto said con-. nector for moving said head along said line of force axisin said forward and return directions.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a retaining groove is definedin the base portion of said wedge extending in the direction of saidline of force axis, said transversely adjustable stop is in the form ofa bolt mounted by a threaded connection in a transverse bore in saidhead communicating with said axial bore, with the inner end of said boltextending into said axial bore adjacent said base portion andterminating in a flange stop operatively retained in said retaininggroove for slidable displacement of said wedge along said retaininggroove with respect to said bolt at said flange stop in the direction ofsaid line of force axis, and releasable locking means are associatedwith said bolt at said head to fix releasably said bolt from rotationaland transverse displacement in any position of transverse adjustment ofsaid bolt.

ll. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said wedge consists of aunitary element displaceable over a full range of adjustment.

12. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said head is mounted on amachine bed for substantially horizontal movement with respect to saidbed along said line of force axis while being fixed against lateralmovement with respect thereto, and said wedge has an abutment face whichis positioned so as to provide a line of intersection with asubstantially horizontal plane through the lineof force axis, which lineof intersection is substantially parallel to the machine bed andsubstantially normal to said line of force axis, and so as to provide aline of intersection with a substantially vertical plane through theline of force axis, which last-mentioned line of intersection isinclined relative to the machine bed.

13. Combination according to claim 12 wherein said wedge is captivelydisposed within said head with the so-inclined abutment face of saidwedge positioned in operative engagement with the oblique contact faceof said connector.

14. Combination according to claim 12 wherein said wedge consists of aunitary element displaceable in substantially vertical direction over afull range of adjustment, and a substantially vertically adjustable stopis mounted at the top portion of said head and operatively connected tosaid wedge to locate selectively the height of said wedge with respectto said line of force axis so as to control the length of the stroke ofsaid head and to hold said wedge in abutting contact with the obliquecontact face of said connector and prevent vertical displaccmcnt of saidwedge.

1. Ram head and adjustable connector combination which comprises a ramhead adapted to be moved along a line of force axis for mechanicalaction, a force transmission connector having an oblique contact face, apositioning seat on said head positioning said connector operativelyalong said axis with said contact face facing said head, an axiallyadjustable retainer on said head to retain said connector at a selectiveaxial position and against axial displacement away from said head, and atransversely adjustable wedge having a complemental oblique abutmentface interposed at said axis operatively between said head and saidconnector for compressive engagement with said oblique contact face atthe selective axial position of said connector to transmit therethroughforces acting on said connector to said head along said line of forceaxis.
 2. Combination according to claim 1 wherein a force transmissionlever is articulatedly connected to said connector remote from saidcontact face to transmit forces to said connector for moving said headalong said line of force axis, and said force lever is pivotallyconnected with direct drive means to positively reciprocate said headboth in its advance and retractive displacements along said line offorce action.
 3. Combination according to claim 2 wherein said directdrive means comprises a cam operated toggle lever and said toggle leveris operatively connected to said force lever to transmit forces to saidforce lever for transmission in turn to said connector and head to movesaid head in a positive forward mechanical action direction and toretract said head in a corresponding positive return direction. 4.Combination according to claim 1 wherein said head is mounted on amachine bed for substantially horizontal movement with respect to saidbed along said line of force axis while being fixed against lateralmovement with respect thereto, and a transversely adjustable stop isprovided on the top portion of said head which is operatively connectedto said wedge to locate selectively and hold said wedge in saidcompressive engagement with the oblique contact face of said connectorand prevent transverse displacement of said wedge.
 5. Combinationaccording to claim 1 wherein an opposing support block having a reverseoBlique support face is stationarily disposed operatively between saidhead and said wedge at said axis to provide a wedge shaped space betweensaid support face and the contact face of said connector, and said wedgeis provided with a complemental reverse oblique abutment face adjacentsaid support face, with said abutment faces complementally inwardlyconverging toward each other and dimensioned to occupy said wedge shapedspace in dependence upon the selective axial position of said connectorand the position of transverse adjustment of said wedge.
 6. Combinationaccording to claim 5 wherein a transversely adjustable stop is providedon said head operatively connected to said wedge to hold said wedge inabutting contact with said support face and with said contact face andprevent transverse displacement of said wedge.
 7. Combination accordingto claim 1 wherein said head has a forward ram portion and a rearwardforce receiving portion, said positioning seat is in the form of anaxial bore in said rearward portion, said connector is dimensionedcross-sectionally to provide axially extending seating surface portionsfor axially slidable operative seating engagement with correspondingadjacent axially extending interior wall portions of said bore, saidretainer is in the form of a collar having an opening definedtherethrough and said collar is dimensioned for axially adjustableattachment to the outer end portion of said bore in rearward retainingabutment with the adjacent portion of said connector, and said wedge isoperatively positioned in said bore between the inner end portionthereof and the contact face of said connector, wherein a transverselyadjustable stop is provided on said head which extends into said boreand which is operatively connected to said wedge to hold said wedgebetween said end portion and contact face and prevent transversedisplacement of said wedge, and wherein a force transmission leverextends inwardly through the opening of said collar and is articulatedlyconnected to said connector at the end portion thereof remote from saidcontact face to transmit forces to said connector for moving said headalong said line of force axis.
 8. Combination according to claim 7wherein said bore, said connector, said wedge and said collar are ofcomplemental circular cross-sectional configuration with respect to saidaxis, wherein said collar is attached by a threaded connection to saidbore, wherein said transversely adjustable stop is a bolt insertedthrough a threaded connection with said head into said bore and attachedat its inner end to the wider base portion of said wedge, and whereinsaid force transmission lever is connected to said connector by a pairof lateral pins coaxially journalled in said connector and isoperatively connected with direct drive means remote from said connectorto move said head in a positive forward mechanical action direction andto retract said head in a corresponding positive return direction. 9.Ram head apparatus which comprises a machine bed, a ram head having aforward ram portion and a rearward force receiving portion mounted onsaid bed for reciprocal movement with respect to said bed along a lineof force axis in a forward mechanical action direction and in a returndirection while being fixed against lateral movement with respect tosaid bed, an axial bore in said rearward portion forming a positioningseat along said axis, a force transmission connector having an obliquecontact face portion operatively within said bore along said axis in atleast partial axially slidable peripheral operative seating engagementwith the adjacent axially extending interior wall portions of said boreand with said contact face facing the forward ram portion, a retainingcollar having an opening defined therethrough mounted axially adjustablyin the outer end portion of said bore rearwardly of said connector toretain said connector at a selective axial position and against rearwardaxial displacement with respEct to said head, an opposing support blockhaving a reverse oblique support face stationarily disposed operativelyat said axis within said bore against the inner end portion thereof withsaid support face facing said contact face to provide a wedge shapedspace between said support face and said contact face, a transverselyadjustable wedge interposed at said axis in said bore operativelybetween said connector and said support block and having a complementaloblique abutment face adjacent said contact face and a complementalreverse oblique abutment face adjacent said support face, said abutmentfaces complementally inwardly converging toward each other from the baseportion of said wedge to the apex portion thereof and said wedge beingdimensioned to occupy said wedge shaped space in dependence upon theselective axial position of said connector and the position oftransverse adjustment of said wedge to transmit therethrough forcesacting on said connector to said support block and in turn said headalong said line of force axis, a transversely adjustable stop mounted onsaid rearward portion extending into said bore and operatively connectedto the base portion of said wedge to hold said wedge in abutting contactwith said support face and contact face and prevent transversedisplacement of said wedge, a cam operated toggle lever mounted on saidbed, and a force transmission lever having one end operatively connectedto said toggle lever and the other end extending inwardly through theopening of said collar and articulatedly connected to said connector atthe end portion thereof remote from said contact face to transmit forcesto said connector for moving said head along said line of force axis insaid forward and return directions.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9wherein a retaining groove is defined in the base portion of said wedgeextending in the direction of said line of force axis, said transverselyadjustable stop is in the form of a bolt mounted by a threadedconnection in a transverse bore in said head communicating with saidaxial bore, with the inner end of said bolt extending into said axialbore adjacent said base portion and terminating in a flange stopoperatively retained in said retaining groove for slidable displacementof said wedge along said retaining groove with respect to said bolt atsaid flange stop in the direction of said line of force axis, andreleasable locking means are associated with said bolt at said head tofix releasably said bolt from rotational and transverse displacement inany position of transverse adjustment of said bolt.
 11. Combinationaccording to claim 1 wherein said wedge consists of a unitary elementdisplaceable over a full range of adjustment.
 12. Combination accordingto claim 1 wherein said head is mounted on a machine bed forsubstantially horizontal movement with respect to said bed along saidline of force axis while being fixed against lateral movement withrespect thereto, and said wedge has an abutment face which is positionedso as to provide a line of intersection with a substantially horizontalplane through the line of force axis, which line of intersection issubstantially parallel to the machine bed and substantially normal tosaid line of force axis, and so as to provide a line of intersectionwith a substantially vertical plane through the line of force axis,which last-mentioned line of intersection is inclined relative to themachine bed.
 13. Combination according to claim 12 wherein said wedge iscaptively disposed within said head with the so-inclined abutment faceof said wedge positioned in operative engagement with the obliquecontact face of said connector.
 14. Combination according to claim 12wherein said wedge consists of a unitary element displaceable insubstantially vertical direction over a full range of adjustment, and asubstantially vertically adjustable stop is mounted at the top portionof said head and operatively connected to said wedge to locateselectivelY the height of said wedge with respect to said line of forceaxis so as to control the length of the stroke of said head and to holdsaid wedge in abutting contact with the oblique contact face of saidconnector and prevent vertical displacement of said wedge.